Avast expands Secure Identity to 15 more countries

Avast has expanded its Avast Secure Identity solution to 15 new countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, to combat the growing threat of identity theft and associated scams.

The move comes amid a significant rise in large-scale data breaches over the past year, which have provided cybercriminals with enhanced opportunities to exploit personal information.

Criminals often attempt to use public and breached data through social engineering attacks to gain unauthorized access to devices and sensitive personal information. A recent report by Gen indicated a notable uptick of 614 percent in "Scam-Yourself Attacks" during the third quarter of 2024. These attacks involve psychological manipulation to convince individuals to install malware, thereby allowing cybercriminals access to their devices.

Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen, explained the motivations behind the expansion, "Identity theft is on the rise, and as the severity and frequency of data breaches increases, cybercriminals will continue to use the personal information they have access to in even more sophisticated ways."

She further elaborated on the broad and borderless nature of identity theft: "Identity theft has no borders. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, and potentially cause lasting financial and reputational harm."

"If the worst happens, the process of restoring somebody's identity is often exhausting. We've expanded the availability of Avast Secure Identity so that more people around the world can better protect their identities and receive the support they need to restore them if they fall victim."

Avast Secure Identity aims to offer a comprehensive shield against threats such as "Scam Yourself Attacks," combining the identity protection features with Avast antivirus systems. The solution is designed to monitor personal information across various platforms, including the deep and dark web, and alert users if their information is found in potentially compromising situations.

The solution comes equipped with several features, including Dark Web Monitoring, which scans sites and forums for compromised data like credit card numbers.

It also offers Social Media Monitoring to alert users of risky links or compromised accounts, and Restoration Support through Identity Restoration Specialists.

Other notable features include Stolen Wallet Assist, providing guidance on replacing important documents, and Financial Monitoring in specific regions to detect fraudulent transactions. Furthermore, Identity Theft Insurance is available in Australia and New Zealand, covering associated expenses and legal fees.

Avast Secure Identity's availability in the new countries, which include France, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, and Italy, is part of Avast's broader effort to enhance global access to secure digital identity solutions, amidst an increasing need for effective cybersecurity measures.

AVG, also a part of Gen, has concurrently expanded its Secure Identity product offering to these countries, enhancing identity protection capabilities.